Divine
Biography
Divine, born Harris Glenn Milstead, was an American actor, singer, and drag queen. He was born in Towson, Maryland, on October 19, 1945, and died on March 7, 1988, at the age of 42. Described by People magazine as the Drag Queen of the Century, he often performed female roles in cinema and theater and in musical performances, wearing women's clothing. However, he considered himself a character actor and performed male roles in several of his later films. Divine was closely associated with independent filmmaker John Waters, starring in ten of Waters's films, usually in a leading role. Alongside his acting career, he also had a successful career as a disco singer during the 1980s. He accumulated fifty-three known acting credits during his career.
Career overview
Divine, whose birth name was Harris Glenn Milstead, was an American actor, singer, and drag queen. Born on October 19, 1945, in Towson, Maryland, USA, he was described by People magazine as the Drag Queen of the Century. Throughout his career, he frequently performed female roles in both cinema and theater and also wore women's clothing during musical performances. Despite this association, he considered himself a character actor and undertook male roles in a number of his later films.
He was closely associated with independent filmmaker John Waters and starred in ten of Waters's films, usually in a leading role. Concurrent with his acting career, Divine also established a successful career as a disco singer during the 1980s, at one point being described as the most successful. His known acting credits include 53 projects listed on the Movie Database. Divine passed away on March 7, 1988, at the age of 42.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
56 titles- Too Disgusting To Be Confused (2025) as Self
- My Life with the Waters (2021) as Self
- Disclosure (2020) as Edna Turnblad (archive footage)
- Howard (2018) as Dawn Davenport / Earl Peterson (archive footage)
- Studio 54 (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- Crime and Beauty: Remembering "Female Trouble" (2018) as Self (archive)
- Crime and Beauty: Making ‘Female Trouble’ (2018) as Self (archive)
- BEAT. Contour. Snatched. How Drag Queens Shaped the Biggest Makeup Trends (2018) as Self
- Night Flight: Born Again (2016) as Self
- Discolocos (2016) as Self (archive footage)
- Tab Hunter Confidential (2015) as Self (archive)
- I Am Divine (2014) as Self (archive)
- Cachitos de hierro y cromo (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- The Sex of Death e o Homem Invisível (2012) as Singer (archive footage)
- The British Guide to Showing Off (2011) as Self (archive footage)
- Uncle Bob (2010) as Self
- Starz Inside: In the Gutter (2008) as Self (archive)
- The Roots of 'Hairspray' (2007) as Self (archive)
- DIVINE R.I.P. (2007) as Self (archive footage)
- Girls and Boys - Sex and British Pop (2005) as Self
- Sex 'n' Pop (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- The Cockettes (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- Divine Trash (2000) as Self
- Divine: Shoot Your Shot & Live at the Hacienda (2000) as Self (archive footage)
- In Bad Taste (1999) as Self (archive footage)
- Soul Ache (1998) as Actriz cantante (Singer actress)
- Divine: Shoot Your Shot (1995)
- Divine: Live at the Hacienda (1994)
- Divine: Live at the Hacienda (1994) Writer
- Rhythm Divine: The Story of Disco (1992) as Self (archive footage)
- The Neon Woman (1990) as Flash Storm (archive footage)
- Hairspray (1988) as Edna Turnblad / Arvin Hodgepile
- The Incredibly Strange Film Show (1988) as Self
- Out of the Dark (1988) as Det. Langella
- Out of the Dark (1988) In Memory Of
- Queen: Magic Years - A Visual Anthology (1987) as Self
- Queen: The Magic Years vol. 3 (1987) as Self
- Queen: The Magic Years vol. 1 (1987) as Self
- Divine Waters (1985) as Self
- Trouble in Mind (1985) as Hilly Blue
- Lust in the Dust (1985) as Rosie Velez
- Tales from the Darkside (1984)
- Late Night with David Letterman (1982) as Self - Guest
- Polyester (1981) as Francine Fishpaw
- The Alternative Miss World (1980) as Self - Guest of Honour
- Tally Brown, New York (1979)
- Female Trouble (1976) as Dawn Davenport / Earl Peterson
- Underground and Emigrants (1976) as Self
- Pink Flamingos (1972) as Divine / Babs Johnson
- Multiple Maniacs (1970) as Lady Divine
- The Diane Linkletter Story (1970) as Diane Linkletter
- The Diane Linkletter Story (1970) Writer
- Mondo Trasho (1969) as Divine / Greaser in Alley
- Eat Your Makeup (1968) as Jacqueline Kennedy
- Roman Candles (1967) as Party Guest / Man with Scarf
- New Line: Independent Legacies as Self (archive footage)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Divine best known for?
Divine is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Disclosure (2020), On the Tiger's Back (1961), Hairspray (1988), The Incredibly Strange Film Show (1988).
When and where was Divine born?
Divine was born on October 19, 1945 in Towson, Maryland, USA. They passed away on March 7, 1988.
How many credits does Divine have?
Divine has accumulated over 56 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1967 to 2025.
What is Divine's background in cinema and television?
Divine, born Harris Glenn Milstead, was an American actor, singer, and drag queen. He was born in Towson, Maryland, on October 19, 1945, and died on March 7, 1988, at the age of 42. Described by People magazine as the Drag Queen of the Century, he often performed female roles in cinema and theater and in musical perfor...
Divine by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Incredibly Strange Film Show (1988) as Self — aged about 42
- Disclosure (2020) as Edna Turnblad (archive footage) — aged about 74
- Tally Brown, New York (1979) — aged about 33
- Tales from the Darkside (1984) — aged about 38
- Polyester (1981) as Francine Fishpaw — aged about 35
- Female Trouble (1976) as Dawn Davenport / Earl Peterson — aged about 30
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